**Author details**

Teboho C. Mokhena<sup>1</sup> , Mokgaotsa J. Mochane<sup>1</sup> , Tshwafo E. Motaung<sup>1</sup> \*, Linda Z. Linganiso<sup>1</sup> , Oriel M. Thekisoe<sup>2</sup> and Sandile P. Songca<sup>1</sup>

\*Address all correspondence to: motaungt@unizulu.ac.za

1 Department of Chemistry, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa

2 Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, South Africa

#### **References**


[3] Teixeira SR, de Souza AE, Peña AFV, de Lima RG, Muguel AG. Use of charcoal and partially pirolysed biomaterial in fly ash to produce briquettes: Sugarcane bagasse. Alternative Fuel. 2011;9. DOI: 10.5772/20505. ISBN 978-953-307-372-9. http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

on the surface of the fibers which results in reduction of thermal stability. In addition these harsh conditions may reduce the crystallinity and molecular weight of the cellulose which

The abundant availability of sugarcane bagasse offers an alternative toward the engineered fillers as well as the seasonal natural fibers as reinforcement of polymers for various applications. It can be argued that the hydrophilic character of sugar bagasse adversely affect the properties of the composite materials. Most of the studies based on surface modification of the fibers proved that these fibers can be applied in various fields such as aerospace, construction and automotive if the suitable surface modifier is applied. However, these modifications must be applied in such a way that they do not influence other properties especially for the fibers which are very sensitive toward harsh conditions which may adversely affect their durability and versatility. The inherited properties such as biodegradability and renewability has to be considered during the production of the composite materials. All processing techniques have their benefits and limitations. For example, the CNCs-based composites are preferably prepared *via* solution casting and *in situ* polymerization to obtain highly homogeneous distribution of the filler and interfacial adhesion without surface modification. In addition the low yield obtained from the extraction process *viz.* acid hydrolysis limit their application in melt

, Tshwafo E. Motaung<sup>1</sup>

\*, Linda Z. Linganiso<sup>1</sup>

,

also contribute to the reduction of thermal stability.

compounding where large quantities of the filler are required.

, Mokgaotsa J. Mochane<sup>1</sup>

1 Department of Chemistry, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa

2 Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom

[1] Bezerra TL, Ragauskas AJ. A review of sugarcane bagasse for second-generation bioethanol and biopower production. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. 2016;**10**:634-647.

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and Sandile P. Songca<sup>1</sup>

\*Address all correspondence to: motaungt@unizulu.ac.za

Campus, Potchefstroom, South Africa

DOI: 10.1002/bbb.1662

resconrec.2013.03.002

**8. Conclusions and remarks**

236 Sugarcane - Technology and Research

**Author details**

Teboho C. Mokhena<sup>1</sup>

Oriel M. Thekisoe<sup>2</sup>

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**Chapter 13**

**Provisional chapter**

**Sugar Versatility—Chemical and Bioprocessing of**

**Sugar Versatility—Chemical and Bioprocessing of** 

**Hydrolytic Catalyst: Diluted Thermopressurized**

**Hydrolytic Catalyst: Diluted Thermopressurized** 

**Phosphoric Acid**

**Phosphoric Acid**

Tatiana Zuccolotto

Tatiana Zuccolotto

**Abstract**

José D. Fontana, Gustavo H. Couto,

José D. Fontana, Gustavo H. Couto,

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75229

also shortly commented.

Leonardo P. Wielewski, Egon Petersohn Jr. and

Leonardo P. Wielewski, Egon Petersohn Jr. and

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

**Many Phytobiomass Polysaccharides Using a Milder**

**Many Phytobiomass Polysaccharides Using a Milder** 

Phytobiomasses, given the qualitative and quantitative dominance of polysaccharides, are a dominant wealth available in nature. Cellulose and hemicelluloses from softwoods, hardwoods and grasses, starch from tubercles and roots, pectins from fruits and gums from some seeds may be explored as such or following acid or alkaline pretreatments as well enzymatic deconstruction, and even simple chemical derivatization toward more added-value products. A general view in the chemistry of these valuable polymers is here broached, following a sharper focus on acid pretreatments for L(h)C—ligno(hemi) cellulosic materials from sugarcane and other feedstocks. Our particular experience using a gentler proton donor but keeping very advantageous aspects for polysaccharide chemo/biotechnological processing—thermopressurized diluted phosphoric acid (oPA)—is presented with a more detailed description as a result of its validity for the hydrolytic deconstruction of hemicelluloses—heteroxylans and heteromannans, cassava starch, dahlia inulin and mixed glucans from microalgae cell walls. The opportunity of NOs—nutraceutical oligosacchrides—generation from these particular glycopolymers is

**Keywords:** phosphoric acid, polysaccharides, sugarcane, ligno(hemi)cellulose, starch

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use,

distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.75229


**Sugar Versatility—Chemical and Bioprocessing of Many Phytobiomass Polysaccharides Using a Milder Hydrolytic Catalyst: Diluted Thermopressurized Phosphoric Acid Sugar Versatility—Chemical and Bioprocessing of Many Phytobiomass Polysaccharides Using a Milder Hydrolytic Catalyst: Diluted Thermopressurized Phosphoric Acid**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.75229

José D. Fontana, Gustavo H. Couto, Leonardo P. Wielewski, Egon Petersohn Jr. and Tatiana Zuccolotto José D. Fontana, Gustavo H. Couto, Leonardo P. Wielewski, Egon Petersohn Jr. and Tatiana Zuccolotto

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75229

#### **Abstract**

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[52] Mandal A, Chakrabarty D. Isolation of nanocellulose from waste sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and its characterization. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2011;**86**(3):1291-1299. Doi.org/10.1016/j.

Polímeros. 2014;**24**(6):646-653. Doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428-1547

2256. Doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2007.11.097

carbpol.2011.06.030

Testing. 2004;**23**(3):253-258. Doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2003.09.002

53-61. Doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.03.049

Doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2013.05.003

240 Sugarcane - Technology and Research

2013

Phytobiomasses, given the qualitative and quantitative dominance of polysaccharides, are a dominant wealth available in nature. Cellulose and hemicelluloses from softwoods, hardwoods and grasses, starch from tubercles and roots, pectins from fruits and gums from some seeds may be explored as such or following acid or alkaline pretreatments as well enzymatic deconstruction, and even simple chemical derivatization toward more added-value products. A general view in the chemistry of these valuable polymers is here broached, following a sharper focus on acid pretreatments for L(h)C—ligno(hemi) cellulosic materials from sugarcane and other feedstocks. Our particular experience using a gentler proton donor but keeping very advantageous aspects for polysaccharide chemo/biotechnological processing—thermopressurized diluted phosphoric acid (oPA)—is presented with a more detailed description as a result of its validity for the hydrolytic deconstruction of hemicelluloses—heteroxylans and heteromannans, cassava starch, dahlia inulin and mixed glucans from microalgae cell walls. The opportunity of NOs—nutraceutical oligosacchrides—generation from these particular glycopolymers is also shortly commented.

**Keywords:** phosphoric acid, polysaccharides, sugarcane, ligno(hemi)cellulose, starch

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
